Paying zakaah to the Chechen Mujaahideen

Question

Is it permissible to pay zakaah to the Chechen mujaahideen?

Answer

Praise be to Allaah.

Undoubtedly their jihaad is for the sake of Allaah, because they are
fighting the kaafir aggressors who are trying to put an end to Islam
and destroy the Muslims. The mujaahideen have been given a right to
some of the zakaah, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning),
“As-Sadaqaat (here it means Zakaah) are only for…and for Allaah’s
cause (i.e., for mujaahideen – those fighting in the holy battles)…”
[al-Tawbah 9:60]. So zakaah is permissible for them, even if they
are fighting in self-defence, because they are Muslims and their enemies
are kuffaar. Zakaah and charitable donations given to them should be
increased. And Allaah knows best.